Richistan: A Journey Through the American Wealth Boom and the Lives of the New Rich Audiobook

" Breezy, insightful, and pleasurable. And for a social scientist interested in modern America, it is a gem. The author, obviously living the ultimate journo boondoggle, was assigned by the WSJ to cover ultra-rich Americans for years. But the end result is his characetreization of a new country -- bigger in population than many geographic countries, with a higher GDP than most! "

" Funny and really ridiculous! "

" Fascinating look at how the other half lives. Some of it was public info, but much of the insights, like why gas prices continue to climb (uber-rich people consume a ton and don't care about the rising cost with their millions) and other interesting thoughts. Not a rag on the rich, the poor, or any one in-between--simply investigative reporting. A great quick, interesting read. "

" a funny, fascinating, fast read. the chapter on Palm Beach philanthropic society is particularly entertaining. ultimately, no sympathy for the lot of them. but silver lining: at least the majority of them are Democratics and actively socially progressive. "

" Some astonishing facts about the world of the very rich. For instance, did you know they have their own support groups for people who have $10 million? And rich kid camps for their kids to learn how to deal with all that money? And giving your wife a $50K car is cause for embarrassment (it should have been a $100K car instead!)? "

" so interesting-- but had enough 3/4 through "

" A revealing portrait of the variety of rich people in America and the shocking ways they spend (waste?) their money. "

" interesting...it's interesting to read about extremely wealthy people who don't feel that they have enough, and even more interesting to read about those who put their money into philanthropy and good works! "

" Reminded me of all those a-holes I went to law school with. "

" As a fundraiser, this is required reading. Fascinating to have someone bright summarize that which I encounter in my work. He does seem to lack any inherent critique of the subjects he writes about. It's there, but one is not convinced he really wants to judge. "

" An anthropological take on the ultra-rich. They're as scary as I had feared. "

" I can't say it was a gripping read, but it was interesting. "

" Who knew the trials and tribulations of the super rich? Poor things, to be so worried about having a bigger yacht than their friends. This book let me be snarky and sound superior, but don't be fooled - I loved reading this stuff. "

" Fascinating! It is interesting to peek into the lives of old and new money. "

" Wow. You've never experienced wealth like you can through this book. It is mind-blowing (unless you already happen to be a millionaire). "

" Quick read on trends in the upper-upper-class. "

" That whatever we have, we always want more. Even the wealthiest of the wealthiest think they need twice as much as they have. "

" Well... fascinating. But Robert Frank isn't helping the situation. "

" I found this book fascinating. I find myself using the term 'Richistanis' for rich people now. It's such a fitting term; the lifestyle that people that Frank describes live is so far off and unreachable by most of us that it is like they live in a different country. "

" Helps in understanding the rich and rich culture. May illuminate shadow (unconscious) motivations for the rich & pseudo-rich. "

" 8 on a scale of 1-10 "

" The high cost of being rich. Especially good chapters: Butler Academy and the "service heart", Instapreneurs, Palm Beach. "

" My next job might be a Butler- apparently that is where the money is... This book REALLY shows how the money is NEVER enough... be happy with what you have. "

" Very little analysis, just uninteresting stories about wealthy people. "

" fascinating insight into Richistan! at times, depressing. at times, hopeful. but totally a different world. "

" This wasn't the witty commentary a la P.J. O'Rourke I was hoping it was. However, there were a few interesting facts about how some new wealth is being used to affect politics in ways that benefit worthy causes. "

" Part trash, part economics, part sociology. Over all an easy read with some interesting points as well as some juicy gossip. "

" An interesting look at the lives of the super rich. Not altogether surprising...And actually I found most of the conspicuous consumption quite nauseating. Still, it was interesting. "

" Wow. You've never experienced wealth like you can through this book. It is mind-blowing (unless you already happen to be a millionaire). "

" A lot of it was intriguing, but I ended up wandering away before I finished. Not the world I'd want to live in, thanks. "

" Entertaining; a good companion to David Brooks' Bobo book. "

" Well... fascinating. But Robert Frank isn't helping the situation. "